Norma Greely Hallisey

Norma Greely Hallisey, 73, a resident of Detroit Lakes, formerly of Fergus Falls, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at Ecumen - The Cottages in Detroit Lakes.

Norma was born on May 21, 1943, to Dr. Norman and Alberta (Greely) Blanchard in Portland, ME. She graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, ME, in 1961. After graduation, she attended the University of Connecticut, and graduated in 1966, with a B.S. in Physical Therapy.

On October 7, 1967, Norma was married to Thomas Gesner Hallisey, Sr. in Uncasville, CT. Before her marriage, she worked as a nanny for Betty Davis in Cape Elizabeth, ME, and at George Washington University Hospital as a physical therapist. After moving to Fergus Falls she worked at Lake Region Healthcare as a physical therapist until her son was born.

Norma was an artist and operated Decorative Arts Studio in her home. She enjoyed Tole painting and Rosemaling (Norwegian Folk Art), oil painting, angels, decoys, furniture and everything in between and was very proud of her Gingerbread Station at A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls. Over the years, she taught classes out of their home and traveled to teach and sell. Throughout her career, she was also employed by the Fergus Falls School District #544 as a para-professional, as a manager at Country Fancies for six years, New Dimensions, Crossmark and Camp Walt Whitman.

Norma was a member of the Minnesota State Art Board and the Claire Ann Shover Nursery School Board. She enjoyed volunteering at Americorps VISTA-Headstart and Pioneer Familes, where she published “Our Light Shines On.” She also helped as an art judge at Summer Fest in Fergus Falls and at the Phelps Mill Festival. Most of all, Norma loved gardening, studying genealogy, spending time with family and friends and all the special times that were spent at Jewett Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas Hallisey, Sr. in 2010; her grandparents; and distant relative, Horace Greely, who is remembered for saying “Go West, young man”, to which she replied… “And so they did.”

Norma is survived by her children, Thomas G. (Deborah) Hallisey, Jr. of Detroit Lakes and Linda (Lonnie Slaubaugh) Hallisey of Fergus Falls; grandchildren, Karrah, Johnathan, Karrigan, Michael and Kayla Hallisey; and a great-grandchild, Michael Martin.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at Olson Funeral Home with a public prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Reverend Ben Durbin
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN